Major League Baseball and MLB Advanced Media announced that Eric Hosmer was named the Kansas City Royals’ nominee for the 2013 Hank Aaron Award.Fans can vote exclusively online at MLB.com and the 30 Club sites. For the fourth straight year, a special panel of Hall of Fame players led by Hank Aaron will join fans in voting for the award, which is officially sanctioned by Major League Baseball and has recognized the most outstanding offensive performer in each League since it was established in 1999.Hosmer enjoyed a breakout campaign, batting .302 with 34 doubles, 17 homers and 79 RBI. He led the American League with 60 multi-hit games, which were tied for the fifth-most in Royals history. The third-year first baseman ranked seventh in the league in hits (188), ninth in overall batting average (.302) and sixth in batting average vs. left-handed pitching (.323). On May 18, Hosmer was batting .244 with 4 doubles, a homer and 14 RBI, but since May 19, he hit .317 with a Major League-leading 156 hits, 30 doubles, 16 homers, 68 RBI and a .484 slugging percentage.The Hall of Fame panel led by Aaron includes some of the greatest offensive players of all-time –Roberto Alomar, Johnny Bench, Tony Gwynn, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray and Robin Yount. These Hall of Famers – who combined for 17,629 hits, 8,278 RBI and 1,723 home runs – have all been personally selected by Hank Aaron to lend their expertise to select the best offensive performer in each League. Through October 10, fans will have the opportunity to select one American League and one National League winner from a list comprising of one finalist per Club. The winners of the 2013 Hank Aaron Award will be announced during the 2013 World Series.“We knew all along that Eric has the capability of doing great things offensively, and it has been fun to watch him develop,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “He was arguably the best offensive player in the American League during the second half of the year. His production was a big key as to why we had the best record in the league after the All-Star break.”“It is a great honor that Major League Baseball recognizes the most outstanding offensive performer in each League with an award in my name,” said Hank Aaron. “The game is full of so many talented players today that I am thankful my fellow Hall of Famers and the fans assist in selecting the much deserving winners.” The finalists for the 2013 Hank Aaron Award are:American League

National LeagueBaltimore Orioles

Chris Davis

Arizona Diamondbacks

Paul GoldschmidtBoston Red Sox

David Ortiz

Atlanta Braves

Freddie FreemanChicago White Sox

Alexei Ramirez

Chicago Cubs

Nate SchierholtzCleveland Indians

Jason Kipnis

Cincinnati Reds

Jay BruceDetroit Tigers

Miguel Cabrera

Colorado Rockies

Michael CuddyerHouston Astros

Jason Castro

Los Angeles Dodgers

Hanley RamirezKansas City Royals

Eric Hosmer

Miami Marlins

Giancarlo StantonLA Angels of Anaheim

Mike Trout

Milwaukee Brewers

Carlos GomezMinnesota Twins

Joe Mauer

New York Mets

David WrightNew York Yankees

Robinson Cano

Philadelphia Phillies

Domonic BrownOakland Athletics

Josh Donaldson

Pittsburgh Pirates

Andrew McCutchenSeattle Mariners

Kendrys Morales

St. Louis Cardinals

Matt CarpenterTampa Bay Rays

Evan Longoria

San Diego Padres

Will VenableTexas Rangers

Adrian Beltre

San Francisco Giants

Hunter PenceToronto Blue Jays

Edwin Encarnacion

Washington Nationals

Jayson Werth

Past winners of the Hank Aaron Award include: Miguel Cabrera and Buster Posey (2012), Jose Bautista and Matt Kemp (2011), Bautista and Joey Votto (2010); Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols (2009); Aramis Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis (2008); Alex Rodriguez and Prince Fielder (2007); Jeter and Ryan Howard (2006); David Ortiz and Andruw Jones (2005); Manny Ramirez and Barry Bonds (2004); Rodriguez and Pujols (2003); Rodriguez and Bonds (2001-02); Carlos Delgado and Todd Helton (2000) and Manny Ramirez and Sammy Sosa (1999). The Hank Aaron Award was introduced in 1999 to honor the 25th Anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, and, at that time, was the first major award introduced by Major League Baseball in more than 25 years.

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